VIDEO: You Can Install a Faucet Aerator

They say you pay for water three times, once to buy it, once to heat it and once to dispose of it. By saving water, you're helping to make your home more comfortable and efficient.

One easy way to conserve water is by installing faucet aerators. Aerators mix air with a stream of water coming from the tap. This reduces the amount of water flow. At the same time, the water and air mixture is pushed through faster, giving you the impression of higher pressure using less water.

Aerators come in several different sizes. The larger size, which is about the size of a quarter, is typically used in kitchens. Smaller aerators, about the size of a dime, are typically used in bathrooms. Aerators come with male or female threads; some models come with an adapter that allows you to use them with either.

Next, you'll choose a flow rate. Lower flow rates are used for tasks such as washing hands or dishes. Higher flow rates are best for volume-based tasks, like filling a container. You'll find the flow rate information printed right on the aerator.

We've got a small aerator on this bathroom sink faucet and we're going with a 1 gallon per minute flow rate, since it's primarily used for hand washing. Any aerator with a 1.5 gallon per minute flow rate or less is likely to save you money. At only a few dollars each, aerators provide a fast return on investment.

Remove and rinse out aerators once or twice a year to clear any grit. If there's any scale build up from hard water, soak them overnight in vinegar or replace them.

Saving water means saving energy. And that will help make your home more comfortable and efficient.